Courtesy photos. The artwork of Hope Barton: At left, "Creek off the St. Johns River," acrylic 27" x 39" At right, "On the Rocks," hand-colored etching/ artist proof 20" x 25", among the works to be displayed in March at Arts on Douglas Fine Art Collectible in downtown New Smyrna Beach." Barton and her featured work "About Water," opens with a 4-7 p.m. reception on Saturday, March 6. Exhibition Dates: March 6 - 27, Gallery Talk with the Artist: 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20. All dates and times are free and open to the public.
NEW SMYRNAS BEACH -- The Arts on Douglas Fine Art and Collectibles, the downtown New Smyrna Beach art gallery, will showcase the acrylic paintings and etchings of St. Augustine artist, Hope Barton. Each month one of the 59 artists represented by Arts on Douglas is featured in a solo exhibition.
The exhibition entitled, "About Water" will feature the most recent work created by Barton. As the title implies, Barton’s work depicts water-related environments which have sentimental significance to her: the Atlantic Ocean, North Florida marshes, rivers, and creeks.
Throughout the years Barton has spent in Florida she has taken a myriad of photographs of these special locations. For this exhibition she sorted through this collection of images to use as her reference material.
“Each painting is a story," she said. "The places I have lived, spent my vacations and free time have been centered around water. These very special places have provided a backdrop for my work.”
Prompted by these reflections, About Water captures memories of the artist’s life as well as memories of Florida’s ever changing scenery.
Hope Barton was born in Colorado Springs, Colo., but raised in Florida. She received her bachelor’s degree in Art Education from Florida Southern College. The years after graduation were spent at various jobs including teaching adult education, high school art and business. Later studies in printmaking and drawing followed at the University of Central Florida and University of Florida.
Barton has continued to study and experiment with her art. In 2004, she was selected to create the artwork for the poster announcing the 2004 Epcot Flower and Garden Festival.
She is a member of the Plein Air Florida Society, which exhibits and paints across the state.
Hope Barton will give a gallery talk at Arts on Douglas, 1 p.m. Saturday, March 20. The opening reception and gallery talk are free and open to the public. xxxxx
FAST FACTS about Arts on Douglas
As a regular feature, Arts on Douglas stages a continuing series of group exhibitions of works by all artists represented by the gallery. Unparalleled in scale of its exhibition space (5,000 square feet) and artistic stable (59 Florida artists), Arts on Douglas furnishes viewers a unique opportunity to enjoy a wide range of artistic style and temperament under one roof.
Examples of artwork exhibited include the masterfully hand built ceramic vessels by Orlando artist Susan Bach, most recent encaustic works by Edgewater artist Audrey Phillips and the exquisite silver gelatin prints by Ormond Beach photographer Lee Dunkel.